during play

USAGE SUMMARY

"during play" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that happens while an activity (usually a game) is taking place. For example, "The ball went out of bounds during play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tennis requires silence during play.

The New Yorker

John signed almost all requests, even during play".

The New York Times - Sports

But the women are all business during play.

The New York Times - Health

The 16,000 crowd must remain quiet during play.

The Guardian - Sport

Several women pause during play to smile at a stranger.

The New York Times - Arts

The Top 40 soundtrack seldom let up, even during play.

The New Yorker

At any time during play you can start recording.

The Guardian - Tech

And forget using a flash camera during play.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course, that is much easier said afterward at leisure than during play at the table.

The New York Times

She later said that she intended to keep grunting during play.

The New York Times - Sports

One matter outside Ritchie's remit is the issue of female players grunting during play.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during play" to specify when an event or action occurs within the context of a game, sport, or other activity. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates what activity "play" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "during play" when the context is ambiguous. Always make it clear which game, activity, or type of play you're referring to. If the context is not immediately apparent, specify the activity, such as "during the soccer game" or "during children's play".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during play" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by specifying the time frame within which an action occurs. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during play" is a common prepositional phrase used to indicate that something occurs within the context of an ongoing game, activity, or performance. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various platforms, particularly in news, media, science, and wiki sources. While relatively neutral in register, it is essential to maintain clarity about what "play" refers to, to avoid ambiguity. When writing, consider alternatives like "while playing" or "in the course of play" for variety. Overall, "during play" provides temporal context, helping readers understand the timing of events. Ludwig's analysis validates these observations and offers a variety of contexts for this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while playing

This alternative directly replaces "during play" with a more concise phrasing.

whilst playing

This alternative is a synonym but sounds more dated.

in the course of play

This alternative is a more formal way of expressing the same concept.

during gameplay

This alternative is commonly used in the context of video games.

while in action

This alternative focuses on the activity's dynamic state.

during the action

This alternative emphasizes the active part of the playing.

as the game unfolds

This alternative adds a narrative element, describing the progression of the game.

in the middle of playing

This alternative is a more verbose but descriptive option.

in active participation

This alternative emphasizes the involvement of the player(s).

as the activity proceeds

This is a more formal and general alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "during play" in a sentence?

You can use "during play" to describe actions or events occurring within a game or activity. For example, "The referee made a controversial call "during play"" or "Injuries can happen "during play"".

What are some alternatives to saying "during play"?

Alternatives include "while playing", "in the course of play", or "during gameplay", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "during the play" instead of "during play"?

While "during the play" isn't inherently incorrect, "during play" is generally preferred when referring to the period when a game or activity is in progress. "During the play" might be used to reference a specific instance of play, such as a theatrical performance.

What is the difference between "during practice" and "during play"?

"During practice" refers to actions or events that occur while training or rehearsing, whereas "during play" describes events within a live game or activity. They are not interchangeable, but related, and depend of the specific moment being referenced.